Pharmacies will now be inspected against the Standards for Registered Premises, published in September 2012.
http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/sites/default/files/Standards%20for%20registered%20pharmacies%20September%202012.pdf
The purpose of these standards is to create and maintain the right environment, both organisational and physical, for the safe and effective practice of pharmacy.
The New Approach to Inspection
It is a show and tell approach that focuses on the patient and the public and looks at the outcomes for patients. It involves the whole pharmacy team.
Evidence is gathered in a variety of ways;
- Documentation
- Observing the pharmacy operation and interactions with patients and staff
- Discussing scenarios with pharmacy staff
Why has the Process Changed?
It is wider than before, it looks at all the standards, make sure that evidence is collected to show how good the pharmacy is and to provide assurance to patients and the public.
How will the new process improve standards?
The outcome of an inspection of a pharmacy premises will now result in one of 4 overall judgements:
- The pharmacy is poor
- The pharmacy is satisfactory
- The pharmacy is good
- The pharmacy is excellent
For pharmacies judged as poor the inspector will issue an action plan that will be followed up. The action plan will set out very clearly the improvements that need to be made. In the longer term the inspection reports will be published so that the public can find out about pharmacies in their area.
What should pharmacists be doing to prepare ahead of an inspection?
Read the standards and gather evidence to show that you are meeting the standards.
Think about what you are doing and how it works for patients, how you are operating your services.
How will Pharmacies be scored against the 5 principles?
There is a decision making framework on the GPhC website.
http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/sites/default/files/Inspection%20Decision%20Making%20Framework%20Nov%202013.pdf
It is open and transparent, and indicates how a judgement will be made.
Key Messages
Look at your pharmacy from the perspective of your patients or the inspector, think about what you do well, and be honest about what you can improve. Make sure you have the evidence.